News
Ex-LRC director admits false accusations against SJB MP were made under “intense pressure”
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
Former Director General of the Land Reform Commission (LRC) Liyanage Padmasiri has acknowledged that a statement he made claiming Kandy District MP Chamindrani Kiriella had illegally acquired 43 acres of land in Hantana, Kandy, was false.
He has tendered an apology to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP over the false statement and also expressed his regret over the matter.
Tendering his apology before Parliament’s Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Mr Padmasiri claimed that the statement was made when he had been under intense pressure.
When reached for comment, Ms Kiriella noted that Mr Padmasiri had revealed he had been compelled toa make the false claim that she illegally acquired 43 acres of land in response to a question raised by an MP. The incident shows that the government is prepared to use public officials to insult its political opponents, and prefers to remain silent and blame the officials when their lies are exposed.
The SJB MP also said the Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) must also be held responsible for allowing the release of unedited videos of COPE proceedings containing such false claims, noting that such videos are then used extensively to gain political advantage. She also pointed out that the move not to summon the offending MP before Parliament’s Committee on Ethics and Privileges is also wrong.
The false statement regarding the Hantana lands was made during proceedings of COPE conducted on July 17, and Ms Kiriella had raised a privilege issue about the incident on July 22. The Ethics and Privileges Committee, which had considered her complaint on January 9, had ruled that the statement was false, conveying its decision to COPE.
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